Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills Practice Questions: 3 | Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills for MCAT PDF Download

David Hume, a renowned philosopher, provided a distinction between correlation and causation in his work, particularly in his early masterpiece called "A Treatise of Human Nature." Hume's analysis focuses on the idea that all knowledge is derived from sense experience. According to him, causation is not an intrinsic quality of an object but rather emerges from the relations between two objects—a cause and an effect. Hume identifies three essential relations: spatial proximity (contiguity), temporal priority of cause before effect, and a necessary connection between the two. 

This necessary connection, which distinguishes causation from coincidence, is a product of the mind's habit formed through repeated perception of similar cause-effect sequences. Hume argues that this mental habit, or custom, determines our belief in the connection between cause and effect.

Hume's definition of causation is that a cause is an object that precedes and is contiguous to another object, and the idea of the former determines the mind to form the idea of the latter. He emphasizes that this determination is based on custom, not logic. He further suggests that all causal reasoning presupposes the assumption that the future will resemble the past. 

However, Hume acknowledges that this assumption cannot be proven and is ultimately based on faith. The "problem of induction" arises from the uncertainty of inductive reasoning, which moves from specific evidence to a universal conclusion
Q.1. What is the main difference between correlation and causation, as discussed by Hume?
(a) Correlation is based on repeated perception, while causation is based on logical connections.
(b) Correlation involves temporal priority, while causation involves spatial proximity.
(c) Correlation is a mental habit, while causation is a product of custom.
(d) Correlation is uncertain, while causation is certain.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
According to Hume, correlation (constant conjunction) is based on repeated perception of similar sequences, while causation is based on logical connections between cause and effect. Hume argues that causation emerges from the relations between objects, not from intrinsic qualities, and it is determined by the mind's custom formed through repeated perception.

Q.2. According to Hume, what distinguishes causation from coincidence?
(a) Spatial proximity
(b) Temporal priority
(c) Logical necessity
(d) Customary connection

Correct Answer is Option (c)
 Hume identifies three essential relations for causation: spatial proximity (contiguity), temporal priority of cause before effect, and a necessary connection. The necessary connection between cause and effect distinguishes causation from mere coincidence. Hume argues that this necessary connection is a product of the mind's custom formed through repeated perception.

Q.3. What is the "problem of induction" as discussed in the passage?
(a) The uncertainty of inductive reasoning
(b) The reliance on faith in causal reasoning
(c) The assumption of a constant future
(d) The distinction between correlation and causation

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The "problem of induction" refers to the uncertainty of inductive reasoning, which moves from particular evidence to a universal conclusion. Hume suggests that all inductive reasoning is ultimately uncertain because it relies on the assumption that the future will resemble the past, which cannot be proven.

Q.4. According to Hume, what is the source of all knowledge, including causation?
(a) Logical reasoning
(b) Custom and repeated sense experience
(c) Faith in universal truths
(d) Coincidental correlations

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Hume argues that all knowledge, including causation, ultimately derives from sense experience. He posits that knowledge is copied from impressions, which are derived from our senses. Causation, like other knowledge, is formed through custom and repeated perception of similar cause-effect sequences.

Q.5. What does Hume mean by the phrase "that the future resembles the past"?
(a) The assumption of logical connections
(b) The uncertainty of inductive reasoning
(c) The reliance on custom and habit
(d) The belief in a necessary connection

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Hume states that all causal reasoning presupposes "that the future resembles the past." This phrase refers to the reliance on custom and habit in determining causation. The mind forms a habitual connection between cause and effect based on repeated perception of similar sequences.